Mme. Modelski has been a highly regarded teacher in New York for many years. Her ballet classes at STEPS attract top professionals as well as hopefuls, and she is the coach for such luminaries as Wendy Whelan and Margaret Tracy. She also teaches a specialized stretch class and writes a regular column for the "Dancer" newsletter, as well as book reviews for "Dance Teacher Now." She has a quirky sense of humor, but she is also known for her serious and sensible corrections. Her barre is excellent -- a good, old-fashioned, no-nonsense warm-up. And her center is both challenging and fun. She gives beautiful adagios, plenty of pirouette practice, brain-teasing petite allegro combinations and sweeping, Russian-style grand allegro.

Tip: If you're planning to audition for a ballet work-study scholarship at STEPS, be sure you "take Peff" at least two or three times first. The auditions are traditionally held during her regular classes and you might as well know what to expect! Classes meet Monday through Friday at 1:30 in Studio III and Saturday at noon in Studio II.

Update, May, 2000: Peff is now offering Feldenkrais "Awareness Through Movement" classes.
2121 Broadway at 74th Street, Room 404.
Fridays at 12 noon
Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Each lesson is about one hour long.
Pre-registration is required. Call 212-721-4556, or
email at peffdance@aolcom.

"Ultimate Maintenance Workshop for Professional Dancers":
June 11, 2000, 1 - 5:30 p.m., New Dance Group Studios 254 West 47th Street, Studio 5.
Register before June 5 for discount.